Genesis 15:1 – After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.

John 4:34 – Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

Lord God, I get so caught up in circumstances, situations, feedback, and results. I set my plans and find joy in success, but discouragement in even moderate failure. I do my work and find joy in positive feedback, but confusion when there is no return on my effort, no feedback. “Is it even making a difference,” I sometimes wonder. I often measure myself and my work by the results of my work and the follow through on my goals. O God, you yourself set goals and made plans. And, since you are God, you did follow through on those absolutely perfectly. You followed through and you finished. You even won me for your cause and purchased me for your kingdom. I’m glad and thankful that your plans included my salvation. I’m honored that your plans include using me! Help me see and understand, however, that my plans are always under your plans. Insofar as my plans are serve you, bless them. When my plans go against your plans, redirect them to serve your kingdoms cause. Most of all, satisfy me with simply knowing that I work for you. Let my job satisfaction be not in how it turns out nor in how people respond to me. Let me find joy in my work not be in the fruit, but simply in the sowing and the reaping, in the work itself. Let me work with gladness because I work for you as a son, not as a slave. You, o God, are my shield and protector. You are my reward, my everything. Satisfy me this morning with your unfailing love that I may be glad and sing all day long. Amen.